Port of Kalama, home to one of the largest grain elevators on the west coast, welcomes the all Chinese crew loading soy and corn at Kalama Export LLC for transport to China.
KALAMA, WASHINGTON (PRWEB) OCTOBER 30, 2013
The Port of Kalama welcomes a maiden voyage from international bulk carrier ship, Tuo Fu 8, this week. The ship, which hails from Hong Kong, is loading soy and corn at Kalama Export LLC for shipment to China. The Tuo Fu 8 is owned by Yifu Shipping Limited of Hong Kong and carries a 25 member crew, all natives of China.
Port of Kalama staff Liz Newman, Sean Clark and Mindy Heuer were on-hand to greet the ship and Captain Youjun Shi, representing the owner, and Captain and Ship Master, Linlin Shao. The ship’s agent, Joey Ebuen, with Transmarine Navigation Corporation, was also on board.
Newman presented the crew with a commemorative plaque from the Port—a traditional gift for first ports of call to offer ships on their Maiden Voyage. The plaque will remain with the ship for its full life at sea.
Port of Kalama, which is home to Kalama Export LLC, one of the most efficient grain elevators on the west coast, is often a first port of call for Maiden Voyages. According to Agent Ebuen Transmarine Navigation Company, international commerce on the river is in full swing: he has several ships waiting down river and six more in the ocean outside the Columbia River bar waiting to come up river and load.
“We still marvel at the magnificence of these international ships visiting the Port—symbolic of the incredible international trade in which the Port of Kalama participates,” says Newman. “We also hope Kalama residents and visitors get an opportunity to check out these awe-inspiring vessels visiting from so far away.”
Captain Shi, who represents many ships calling in the Columbia, says he often stays in Kalama because of its central location, and the excellent local restaurants.
The Port of Kalama, which is located on the deep-draft Columbia River immediately adjacent to Interstate 5 and the mainline railroad, is home to one of the most efficient grain terminals on the west coast. Two grain terminals and a deep-draft break-bulk terminal are located on the river.
Ship Specifics:
Name: Tuo Fu 8
Type: Bulk Carrier
Flag: China
Built: 2011
Builder: Taizhou Catic Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Limited
Length: 224.790 meters
Depth: 20.050 meters
Gross Tonage: 44,315
Engine: Diesel
